Input device and system with macro recording function and method of using the same

ABSTRACT

An input device and system with macro recording function and a method of macro recording are provided. The input device includes a plurality of keys, a macro key, and a control unit. The method of macro recording includes the steps of: detecting a force of continual pressing by the macro key and responding to generate a start signal, receiving the start signal by the control unit and responding to execute a macro recording process, detecting a force of pressing separately by the keys and responding to generate instruction signals, and finally, the control unit records the instruction signals as a macro instruction and assigns one of the instruction signals as a designated instruction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a)on Patent Application No. 102137673 filed in Taiwan, R.O.C. on Oct. 18,2013, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by referenceherein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an input device and, more particular,to an input device and input system with a macro recording function anda method of using the same.

2. Description of Related Art

The advent of the information age has made computers ubiquitous in ourdaily life. As computer technology advances, a computer input device,such as a keyboard or a mouse, which would only accept input ofcharacters and numerical information, has been designed to be morehuman-centered to accept versatile inputs. The keyboard, for example,has not only served as a simple input interface, but also providedspecific functions according to the user's requirements for computergames or word processing. In addition to standard keys for input, thekeyboards of current design may be equipped with macro keys forperforming macro functions, a user-friendly design which makes thecomputer more enjoyable and convenient to use.

A macro, in general, is a batch command that performs a series of inputsequences, such as keyboard keystrokes or mouse buttons, to simplify theuser's input actions. The macro key, corresponding to a macro function,is designed to set up related settings for an application programconfigured to define and record special features of the keyboard.Through some specific software, a sequence of keystrokes can be recordedas a macro instruction, which corresponds to a macro key. At a latertime when the macro key is pressed, the corresponding macro will beexecuted; that is, the input actions for the macro will be played backas recorded.

However, people who frequently use public computers may be used tocarrying their own mouse or keyboard. Therefore, when they use differentpublic computers and want to access a macro, they have to re-install anapplication program, a program for setting up special keys of a keyboardor buttons of a mouse, on each of the computers they use, and record themacro to be stored in each of the computers, a repetitive process whichmay cause inconvenience to use.

Further, for commercially available computer peripheral devices havingmacro recording function, one macro key is usually bound to one macro tobe recorded. Therefore, if the macro function defined by the macro keyis to be changed, one has to re-run the application program and recordthe macro again, where the application program is running on a certainoperating system of a computer. It is not possible that, with currenttechnology, one can change and re-record the macro without launching theapplication program, let alone the operating system.

Some prior-art macro recording input devices provide multiple modes toswitch between macro instructions containing different key combinations.When one specific mode is selected, however, all the macro settingsassociated with one key combination will be changed accordingly, but thesettings corresponding to the macro key are fixed for different modeswhen recorded. Therefore, it is still not possible to change the keycombination that has been recorded without launching the applicationprogram.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the aforementioned problems, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide an input device with a macro recording function, aninput system with a macro recording function, and a method of macrorecording, to relax the restriction that an operating system is requiredto run for the prior-art input devices to change or record macros, whichcauses inconvenience to use.

The present invention provides an input device with a macro recordingfunction. The input device includes multiple keys, a macro key, and acontrol unit, where the control unit is electrically connected to thekeys and the macro key respectively and stores a macro recordingprocess. The keys separately detect actuation actions and respond totrigger multiple instruction signals. The macro key detects a continualkey pressing action and responds to generate a start signal to be sentto the control unit. On receiving the start signal, the control unitresponds to execute the macro recording process, and the control unitrecords the instruction signals into the macro recording process as amacro instruction and assigns one of the instruction signals as adesignated instruction.

In addition to the input device, the present invention provides an inputsystem with a macro recording function. The input system includes afirst input device. The first input device includes multiple keys, amacro key, and a control unit, where the control unit is electricallyconnected to the keys and the macro key respectively and stores a macrorecording process. The keys separately detect actuation actions andrespond to trigger multiple first instruction signals. The macro keydetects a continual key pressing action and responds to generate a startsignal to be sent to the control unit. On receiving the start signal,the control unit responds to execute the macro recording process, andthe control unit records the first instruction signals into the macrorecording process as a macro instruction and assigns one of the firstinstruction signals as a designated instruction.

The input system of the present invention further includes a secondinput device. The second input device is electrically connected to thefirst input device and includes multiple keys. The keys separatelydetect actuation actions and respond to trigger multiple secondinstruction signals. While the macro recording process is in operation,the control unit of the input system records the first instructionsignals and the second instruction signals into the macro recordingprocess respectively and assigns one from the first instruction signalsor from the second instruction signals as a designated instruction.

The present invention still further provides a method of macrorecording. The method includes following steps: the macro key of thefirst input device detects a continual key pressing action and respondsto generate a start signal; the control unit receives the start signaland responds to execute the macro recording process; the keys of theinput devices separately detect actuation actions and respond to triggermultiple instruction signals; and the control unit receives theinstruction signals and records the instruction signals into the macrorecording process as a macro instruction and assigns one of theinstruction signals as a designated instruction.

The advantageous effect of the present invention is that the inputdevice is provided with a macro key, and the control unit of the inputdevice contains a macro recording process, which provides, throughdirect operations on the input device, a fast and at-any-time approachto record input actions corresponding to a macro instruction. Inaddition, in order to set up the macro instruction, it is not requiredto launch a specific software program, which requires an operatingsystem to run with, and thereby the present invention greatly improvesthe convenience of using a macro.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF DRAWINGS

The structure as well as a preferred mode of use, further objects, andadvantages of the present invention will be best understood by referringto the following detailed description of some illustrative embodimentsin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic drawing of an input device accordingto one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an input device according to one embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an input system according to one embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a flowchart of a method of macro recording according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a flowchart of the method of macro recording according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a flowchart of the method of macro recording according toanother embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5B is a flowchart of the method of macro recording according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It should be noted that the input devices in the embodiments of thepresent invention are exemplified by a computer keyboard. Personsskilled in the art should be able to follow the examples and apply thetechnical means disclosed to any type of computer input peripheraldevices, including, but not limited to, a mouse, a track ball, or thelike.

Please refer to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 for a perspective schematic drawing,and a block diagram, of an input device according to one embodiment ofthe present invention. The input device 100 with macro recordingfunction includes a plurality of keys 110, a macro key 120, and acontrol unit 130, where the keys 110 and the macro key 120 are disposedon the external housing of the input device 100. When receiving a forceof key pressing, the keys 110 and the macro key 120 respond to moveinwards the housing of the input device 100, causing the keys 110 andthe macro key 120 to abut against the switches on the circuit board (notshown) inside the housing of the input device 100, and trigger theswitches to generate corresponding electrical signals.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, there is an electrical connectionbetween the keys 110 and the control unit 130 and between the macro key120 and the control unit 130. When the keys 110 detect external force ofpressing, the keys respond to generate actuation actions and movedownwards, causing the keys to abut against the switches on the circuitboard inside the input device 100, and trigger the switches to generateinstruction signals, corresponding to the keys, to be sent to thecontrol unit 130. Likewise, when the macro key 120 detects a force ofcontinual pressing, the macro key 120 responds to generate an action ofcontinual pressing and moves downwards, causing the macro key 120 toabut against the switch on the circuit board inside the input device100, and triggers the switch to generate a start signal, correspondingto the macro key 120, to be sent to the control unit 130.

It is worth noting that the control unit 130 in the embodiment of thepresent invention is a micro controller unit (MCU). However, the controlunit 130 is not limited to one type of MCU. Persons skilled in the artcan use other type of MCU according to different requirements. Besides,the macro key 120 of the present invention will trigger the switch onthe circuit board to generate the start signal only when the macro key120 receives an external force of continual pressing. If the macro key120 receives an external force of pressing for only a short period oftime, the switch corresponding to the macro key 120 will not betriggered to generate the start signal. The time period of continualpressing to generating the start signal can be set to some interval ofseconds according to difference requirements.

The control unit 130 of the present embodiment stores a macro recordingprocess 131. When receiving the start signal triggered by the macro key120, the control unit 130 responds to execute the macro recordingprocess 131. At the same time during the macro recording process 131 isin operation, if the control unit 130 receives the instruction signalstriggered by the keys 110, the control unit 130 will record theinstruction signals as a macro instruction and assign one of theinstruction signals as a designated instruction.

Later when the macro key 120 detects that the external force pressingthe key is released, the macro key 120 then returns to its original keyposition where the macro key 120 is not pressed. After returning to theoriginal key position, the macro key 120 will stay away from the switchon the circuit board, causing the switch to respond to generate a stopsignal to be sent to the control unit 130. On receiving the stop signal,the control unit 130 responds to stop the operation of the macrorecording process.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of an input system according to oneembodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the inputsystem 200 with macro recording function includes a first input device210 and a second input device 220. The first input device 210 includes aplurality of keys 211, a macro key 212, and a control unit 213, wherethere is an electrical connection between the keys 211 and the controlunit 213 and between the macro key 212 and the control unit 213. Whenthe keys 211 detect external force of pressing, the keys respond togenerate actuation actions and move downwards, causing the keys to abutagainst the trigger switches on the circuit board inside the first inputdevice 210, and trigger the switches to generate the first instructionsignals, corresponding to the keys, to be sent to the control unit 213.Likewise, when the macro key 212 detects a force of continual pressing,the macro key 212 responds to generate an action of continual pressingand moves downwards, causing the macro key to abut against the triggerswitch on the circuit board inside the first input device 210, andtriggers the switch to generate a start signal, corresponding to themacro key 212, to be sent to the control unit 213.

It is worth noting that the control unit 213 in the embodiment of thepresent invention is a micro controller unit (MCU). However, the controlunit 213 is not limited to one type of MCU. Persons skilled in the artcan use other type of MCU according to different requirements. Besides,the macro key 212 of the present invention will trigger the switch onthe circuit board to generate a start signal only when the macro key 212receives an external force of continual pressing. If the macro key 212receives an external force for only a short period of time, the switchcorresponding to the macro key 212 will not be triggered to generate thestart signal. The time period of continual pressing to generating thestart signal can be set to specific interval of seconds according todifference requirements.

The control unit 213 of the embodiment stores a macro recording process2131. When receiving the start signal triggered by the macro key 212,the control unit 213 responds to execute the macro recording process2131. At the same time during the macro recording process 2131 is inoperation, if the control unit 213 receives the first instructionsignals triggered by the keys 211, the control unit 213 will record thefirst instruction signals as a macro instruction and assign one of thefirst instruction signals as a designated instruction.

The second input device 220 of the present embodiment is electricallyconnected to the first input device 210, where the second input device220 includes a plurality of keys 221. When the keys 221 detect externalforce of pressing, the keys respond to generate actuation actions, whichgenerate the second instruction signals, corresponding to the keys, tobe sent to the control unit 213 of the first input device 210. At thesame time during the macro recording process 2131 is in operation, ifthe control unit 213 receives the second instruction signals triggeredby the keys 221 of the second input device, the control unit 213 willrecord the first instruction signals and the second instruction signalsinto the macro recording process 2131 as the macro instruction andassign one from the first instruction signals or from the secondinstruction signals as the designated instruction.

Further, once the macro key 212 detects that the external force pressingthe key is released, the macro key 212 then returns to its original keyposition where the macro key 212 is not pressed. After returning to theoriginal key position, the macro key 212 will stay away from the switchon the circuit board, causing the switch to respond to generate a stopsignal to be sent to the control unit 213. On receiving the stop signal,the control unit 213 responds to stop the operation of the macrorecording process.

FIG. 4A shows a flowchart of a method of macro recording according toone embodiment of the present invention. With reference to the foregoingdescription regarding the input devices and the input system, the methodof macro recording includes the steps as follows.

To begin with, detect a force of continual pressing by the macro key ofthe first input device and respond to generate a start signal (s300).Second, receive the start signal by the control unit of the first inputdevice and respond to execute a macro recording process (s310). Third,detect a force of pressing separately by the keys of the first inputdevice and respond to generate multiple first instruction signals(s320). Finally, at the same time during the macro recording process isin operation, the control unit receives the first instruction signalsand records the first instruction signals as a macro instruction andassigns one of the first instruction signals as a designated instruction(s330).

Referring to FIG. 4B showing a flowchart of the method of macrorecording, with further reference to FIG. 4A, the method of macrorecording, following the step 330, further includes following steps.

First, detect a key releasing action by the macro key of the first inputdevice and respond to generate a stop signal (s331). Second, receive thestop signal by the control unit of the first input device (s332). Third,assign the last received instruction signal of the first instructionsignals as a designated instruction by the control unit of the firstinput device (s333). Finally, stop the operation of the macro recordingprocess by the control unit of the first input device (s334).

FIG. 5A shows a flowchart of a method of macro recording according toanother embodiment of the present invention. In addition to the steps300˜330 shown in FIG. 4A, the method of macro recording of the presentembodiment further includes following steps.

First, detect a force of pressing separately by the keys of the secondinput device and respond to generate multiple second instruction signals(s340). Second, at the same time during the macro recording process isin operation, the control unit of the first input device receives thesecond instruction signals and records the first instruction signals andthe second instruction signals as the macro instruction and furtherassigns one from the first instruction signals or from the secondinstruction signals as the designated instruction (s350).

Referring to FIG. 5B showing a flowchart of the method of macrorecording, with further reference to FIG. 5A, the method of macrorecording, following the step 350, further includes following steps.

First, detect a key releasing action by the macro key of the first inputdevice and respond to generate a stop signal (s360). Second, receive thestop signal by the control unit of the first input device (s370). Third,assign the last received instruction signal from the first instructionsignals or from the second instruction signals as the designatedinstruction by the control unit of the first input device (s380).Finally, stop the operation of the macro recording process by thecontrol unit of the first input device (s390).

The present invention has been described by reference to preferredembodiments thereof and it is clear that the input devices and the inputsystem disclosed use a macro key to issue instructions for macrorecording to the control unit therein, a technical means which providesa fast and at-any-time approach to record macro instructions andovercomes the inconvenience deficiency in the prior art where a macrorecording input device has to, in order to record or change a macroinstruction, launch an operating system to run a specific softwareapplication for setting up the macro.

The embodiments described above serve to demonstrate the features of thepresent invention so that persons skilled in the art can understand thecontents disclosed herein and implement the present inventionaccordingly. The embodiments, however, are not intended to limit thescope of the present invention, which is defined only by the appendedclaims. Therefore, all equivalent changes or modifications which do notdepart from the spirit of the present invention should fall within thescope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An input device with a macro recording function,comprising: a plurality of keys, detecting actuation actions andresponding to trigger a plurality of instruction signals; a macro key,detecting a continual key pressing action and responding to trigger astart signal; and a control unit electrically connected to said keys andsaid macro key respectively, said control unit storing a macro recordingprocess, wherein when receiving said start signal, said control unitresponds to execute said macro recording process, and said control unitrecords said instruction signals into said macro recording process as amacro instruction and assigns one of said instruction signals as adesignated instruction.
 2. The input device of claim 1, wherein saidmacro key detects a key releasing action and responds to trigger a stopsignal, and when receiving said stop signal, said control unit stops theoperation of said macro recording process.
 3. The input device of claim1, wherein said control unit is a micro controller unit (MCU).
 4. Aninput system with a macro recording function, comprising: a first inputdevice, comprising: a plurality of keys, detecting actuation actions andresponding to trigger a plurality of first instruction signals; a macrokey, detecting a continual key pressing action and responding to triggera start signal; and a control unit electrically connected to said keysand said macro key respectively, said control unit storing a macrorecording process, wherein said control unit receives said start signaland responds to execute said macro recording process, and said controlunit records said first instruction signals into said macro recordingprocess as a macro instruction and assigns one of said first instructionsignals as a designated instruction.
 5. The input system of claim 4,further comprising: a second input device electrically connected to saidfirst input device, said second input device including a plurality ofkeys, said keys detecting actuation actions and responding to trigger aplurality of second instruction signals, said control unit recordingsaid first instruction signals and said second instruction signals intosaid macro recording process as said macro instruction and assigning onefrom said first instruction signals or from said second instructionsignals as said designated instruction.
 6. The input system of claim 5,wherein said macro key detects a key releasing action and responds totrigger a stop signal, and when receiving said stop signal, said controlunit stops the operation of said macro recording process.
 7. The inputsystem of claim 5, wherein said control unit is a micro controller unit(MCU).
 8. A method of macro recording on an input system with a macrorecording function having a first input device, the method performed bysaid first input device comprising the steps of: detecting a continualpressing action and responding to trigger a start signal by a macro keyof said first input device; receiving said start signal and respondingto execute a macro recording process by a control unit of said firstinput device; detecting actuation actions and responding to trigger aplurality of first instruction signals by a plurality of keys of saidfirst input device; and receiving said first instruction signals,recording said first instruction signals into a macro recording processin said control unit as a macro instruction, and assigning one of saidfirst instruction signals as a designated instruction by said controlunit of said first input device.
 9. The method of macro recording ofclaim 8, wherein the step of assigning one of said first instructionsignals as a designated instruction further comprises the steps of:detecting a key releasing action and responding to trigger a stop signalby said macro key of said first input device; receiving said stop signalin said macro recording process by said control unit of said first inputdevice; assigning the last received instruction signal of said firstinstruction signals as said designated instruction by said control unitof said first input device; and stopping the operation of said macrorecording process by said control unit of said first input device. 10.The method of macro recording of claim 8, wherein the input systemfurther comprises a second input device, the method further comprisingthe steps of: detecting actuation actions and responding to trigger aplurality of second instruction signals by a plurality of keys of saidsecond input device; and receiving said second instruction signals,recording said first instruction signals and said second instructionsignals into said macro recording process in said control unit as saidmacro instruction, and assigning one from said first instruction signalsor from said second instruction signals as said designated instructionby said control unit of said first input device.
 11. The method of macrorecording of claim 10, further comprising the steps of: detecting a keyreleasing action and responding to trigger a stop signal by said macrokey of said first input device; receiving said stop signal in said macrorecording process by said control unit of said first input device;assigning the last received instruction signal of said first instructionsignals or of said second instruction signals as said designatedinstruction by said control unit of said first input device; andstopping the operation of said macro recording process by said controlunit of said first input device.